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3,014,632 DEVIDER Morris W. Kuehenheck-er, Neenah, Wis., assignor to American Can Company, New York, NX., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Mar. 6, 1951, Ser. No. 93,737 3 Claims. (Cl. 229 15) This invention relates to a novel means for providing a plurality of compartrnents in trays, cartons, bags, overwrapped dividers and the like. It is frequently desirable to provide separate compartments in such packaging devices, particularly for the packaging of cookies, rolls, and other items, the separate identity of which is desired to be preserved. This invention provides an integral divider element, of greatly simplified and unusually economical construction.

Previous integral dividers, such as those shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,958,452, employ a construction which has only a partial bottom panel. The dividers of the patent are not well suited to merely being overwrapped where substantial rigdity is required, since the stability of a full bottom panel is lacking. The present invention provides an integral divider having a full bottom panel, which can be filled and overwrapped to give a package of suflicient rigidity to substantially maintain the compartmentation Originally provided. The details of the invention will be clear from the following description in connection with the appended drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a paperboard blank comprsing the first embodiment of this invention,

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the set-up divider made from the blank of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the set-up blank of FIGURE 1 containing cookies and overwrapped with a transparent sheet material,

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a second embodimentof the invention,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the divider formed from the blank of FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the blank of a third embodiment of the invention, and

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the divider formed from the blank of FIGURE 6.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the first embodiment of the invention comprises a blank A, preferably made of papcrboard. The blank is divided by score lines 10-13 and cut lines 14-16 into hingedly connected panels including spacing panel 20, side panels 21, bottom panel 22, connecting panel 23 and partition panel 24.

The remote edges of panels 21 have notches or slots 15 extending thereinto about half the distance from the remote edgcs to the respective hnging score lines lit. Corresponding and cooperating slots or notches 16 extend into panel 24 from the inner edge thereof adjacent the marginal edges of connecting panel 23, the slots terminating short of the free end `edge of panel 24.

Referring also to FIGURE 2, the divider of the first embodiment isset up by folding panels 26 and `21 about score line 11 to lie superposed on bottom panel 22. Sidepanels 21 are then folded upwardly about score lines 10 perpendicularly-to spacing panel 20, and `then connecting panel 23 is folded over spacing panel while simultaneously partition panel 24 is folded perpendicularly to panel 20. As this folding `is accomplished, notches 16 engage with notches or slots `15, thus retaining the panel members in the position shown in FIGURE 2. It will be seen thatnotches or slots 15 are respectively complernentary to notches 1-6, being spaced from hinge line 12 a distance equal to the distance between hinge lines 12 and 13. The depth of the notches is such 3614532 Patented Dec. 26, 1961 that the combined notch -or slot length of elements 15 and 16 at least equals the dimension of panel 21 perpendicular to score lines 10. If it is desired that panels 21 be perpendicular to panel 20 in the erected position of the divider, notches or slots 16 are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing between lines 10.

Referring also to FIGURE 3, the divider element of FGURE 2 may be filled with the commodity to be packaged and either inserted into a bag or overwrapped to provide a divided package.

The divider alternatively may be inserted into a tray of conventional construction, preferably made of paperboard, plastic or similar material adapted to provide a relatively rigid container, and may be dimensioned to provide completely distnct substantially equal compartments in the tray. The divided tray may then be overwrapped if desired to present a completely closed package having six separate compartments. Similarly, the tray may be provided with a separate or integral cover, in the conventional manner, to present a closed container, or alternatively the tray may be closed in a conventional bag.

The second embodiment, shown in FIGURE 4, is basically similar to the embodiment of FIGURES 1-3, but is constructed to provide a divider With nine compartments. Blank B is divided by score lines 40-47 into hingedly connected panels including bottom panel 62, spacing panels 61, 63, side panels 60, 64, connecting panels 66, 67 and partition panels 65, 68.

The free edges of panels 60 and 64 have pairs of spaced notches or slots 48-49 and 50-51, respectively, cut thereinto, as was similarly done in the first embodi- Vment of the invention. Panels 65 and 68 have pairs of notches 52 53 and 54 55 cut into the inner edges thereof adjacent connecting panels 66 and 67.

The divider of FIGURE 4 is set up by infolding spacing panels 61 and 63 along score lines 41 and 42 respectively to lie superposed on bottom panel 62 while simultaneously folding side panels 60 and 64 outwardly along score lines 40 and 43 respectively to lie perpendicularly to bottom panel 62. Connecting panels 66 and 67 are then folded over bottom panel 62 with partition panels 65 and 68 folded perpendicular to bottom 4panel 62. Notches 52 and 53 respectively engage notches 48 and 50, While notches 54 and respectively engage notches 49 and 51.

From inspection it will be seen that notches 48 and 50 are spaced from the line of hinge line 45 a distance equal to the-length of panel 66 from line 44 to line 45, while notches 49 and 51 are spaced lfrom the line-of hinge line 46 a distance equal to the corresponding length of panel 67. If it is desired that panels and 64 be perpendicular to panel 62 in the erected position of the divider, notches 52 and 53, and 54 and 55, are spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between flines 40 and 43 when spacing panels 61 and 63 lie superposedon bottom panel 62. FIGURE 5 shows the set-up divider of FIG- UR'E 4.

The length of panels 23 in the first embodiment, and of panels 66 and 67 in the second embodiment, from bottom panel to partition panel may be varied to provide compartments of various sizes and the same is true of the partitions of panels 24, and 66 beyond the notches cut into those panels.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention which provides means for overcoming the inherent resiliency of higher weight paperboard. When such higher weight board is ernployed to make thedividers according-to the present invention, there is a tendency for the spacing panels 61-63 of the second embodiment -to Spring upward rather than lie fiat on the bottom panel when thedivider is set-up.

sbl-1,632

FIGURE 6 shows a divider blank C which is essentially the same as blank B in FIGURE 4 except for tabs extending from the spacing panels and formed out of part of the side panels. Blank C is divided by score lines 70 -77 into hingedly connected panels including bottom panel 92, spacing panels 91, 93, side panels 90, 94, connecting panels 96, 97, and partition panels 95, 98.

The free edges of panels 90 and 94 have pairs of spaced notches or slots 78-79 and 80-8L respectively, cut therento, as was similarly done in the second embodiment of the invention. Panels 95 and 98 have pair-s of notches 82-83 and 84-85 cut into the inner edges thereof adjacent connecting panels 96 and 97. Tabs 99 and 100 extend from the outer edge of spacing panel 91 and are cut from side panel 90 as correspondingly tabs 101 and 102 extend from spacing panel 93 and are cut from side panel 94.

The divider of FIGURE 6 is set up by infolding spacing panels 91 and 93 along score lines 71 and 72, respectively, to lie superposed on bottom panel 92 while simultaneously folding side panels 90 and 94 outwardly along score lines 70 and 73, respectively to lie perpendicularly to bottom panel 92. At this point tabs 99 102 lie horizontally inwardly of the lines 70 and 73 in the folding path of connecting panels 96 and 97. Connecting panels 96 and 97 are then folded over bottom panel 92 causing the tabs 99-102, and hence the spacing panels 91 and 93, to be pushed downwardly toward the bottom panel while the partition panels 95 and 98 are folded perpendicularly to bottom panel 92. Notches 82 and 83, respectively, engage notches 78 and 80, while notches 84 and 85, respectively, engage notches 79 and 81. While the notches firmly engaged in frictional contact, the connecting panels 96 and 97 hold tabs 99-102 down against the bottom panel 92 and consequently maintain the spacing panels 91 and 93 in superposed relationship on the bottom panel.

The set-up dividers shown in FIGURES and 7, may be either overwrapped or inserted into a bag after being filled with the commodity to be packaged, or used in conjunction with a tray, as previously described with respect to the first embodiment.

While the notches or slots in each of the three embodiments described are depicted with gently curved or angled entrance portions, to facilitate engagement of the co- Operating slots, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the only essential feature in this respect is that these noches or slots actually exist in some form to provide a positive engagement. It is evdent that dividers according to the present invention can be made which vary greatly in the number of compartments contained therein. Other modifications of the inventon, not departing from the spirit thereof, Will also occur to those experienced in this field.

Having now described three embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that limitations on the scope thereof are intended only as specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A divider comprising an integral blank suitably cut and scored to provide a bottom panel, a connecting panel hingedly connected along one edge of said bottom panel, a partition panel hingedly connected to the connecting panel along the edge opposite the bottom panel, a spacing panel hingedly connected along a first edge to another edge of said bottom panel, and a side panel hingedly connected to a second edge of said spacing panel, said side panel having a slot extending therento from the edge opposite the hinge connection to the spacing panel and terminating short thereof, said partition panel having a slot extending therento from the inner edge thereof adjacent the hinge connection of the partition panel to the connecting panel and terminating short of the free edge opposite said hinge connection, said side panel being adapted to be folded perpendicularly to said spacing and connecting panels which are to be folded in respective order to lie superposed on said bottom panel, and the partition panel to be folded perpendicularly to the superposed panels with the slot therein engaged into the slot of the side panel, the slot in the side panel in such folded condition being spaced from the line of the hinge connection of the connecting panel to the bottom panel by a distance substantially equal to the length of the connecting panel.

2. A divider comprising an integral paperboard sheet suitably cut and scored to provide a bottom panel, a connecting panel hingedly connected along one edge of said bottom panel, a partition panel hingedly connected to the connecting panel along the edge opposite the bottom panel, a spacing panel hingedly connected along an end edge to the edge of said bottom panel opposite said connecting panel, and a pair of side panels each hingedly connected along one edge to the opposite side edges of said spacing panel, said side panels each having a slot extending therento from the edge opposite the hinge connection to the spacing panel and terminating short thereof, said partition panel having a pair of slots extending therento from the inner edge thereof adjacent the hinge connection of the partition panel to the connecting panel and terminating short of the free edge opposite said hinge connection, said last-mentioned slots being spaced apart a distance equal to the Width of the spacing panel, said side panels being adapted to be folded perpendicularly to said spacing and connecting panels which are to be folded in respective order to lie superposed on said bottom panel, and the partition panel to be folded perpendicularly to the superposed panels with the slots therein engaged into the slots of the side panels, the slots in the side panels in such folded condition being spaced from the line of the hinge connection of the connecting panel to the bottom panel by a distance substantially equal to the length of the connecting panel.

3. A divider comprising an integral paperboard sheet suitably cut and scored to provide a bottom panel, a pair of connecting panels each hingedly connected along one edge to opposite end edges of said bottom panel, a pair of partition panels each hingedly connected to a connecting panel along an edge opposite that to which the connecting panel is hinged to the bottom panel, a pair of spacing panels each hingedly connected along one edge to opposite side edges of said bottom panel, a pair of side panels each hngedly connected to a spacing panel along an edge opposite that to which the spacing panel is hinged to the bottom panel, said side panels each having a pair of spaced slots extending therento from the edge opposite the hinge connection to the bottom panel and terminating short thereof, said slots being spaced from the line of the adjacent hinge connection of a connecting panel to the bottom panel a distance substantially equal to the length of such connecting panel, said partition panels each having a pair of slots extending therento from the inner edge adjacent the hinge connection of the partition panels to the connecting panels and terminating short of the free edge opposite said hinge connection, said last mentioned slots being spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between the side edges of the bottom panel less the length of the spacing panels, said side panels being adapted to be folded perpendicularly to said spacing and connecting panels which are to be folded in respective order to lie superposed on said bottom panel, and the partition panels to be folded perpendicularly to the bottom panel with the slots therein engaged into the adjacent slots of the side panels.

No references cited. 

